What Causes Deep Boogers and How to Remove Them

A dry, crusty booger lodged deep in your nose is hard to ignore. It can be annoying, uncomfortable, and hard to get out.

Here, an ear, nose, and throat doctor shares the reasons why deep boogers form and advice on how to remove them safely and painlessly — no picking needed. Read on to learn more.

How and Why Do Deep Boogers Form?

Boogers start off as mucus (aka snot), the slimy gook that lines your nasal passages. Their main job is to trap irritants like dirt, germs, and other debris and prevent them from entering your airways or lungs. This makes it easier to breathe and reduces your risk of infection, according to Nemours KidsHealth.

So, how does sticky mucus turn into a crusty booger?

“If the lining of the nose becomes dry, mucus production is disrupted and can accumulate on a more adherent area,” explains Kathleen Kelly, MD, an otolaryngologist and associate clinical professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. This can happen anywhere in your nose, from your nostril to deeper in your nasal cavity.

Hard, dry boogers are more likely to form when you’re exposed to dry air, such as in wintertime, when indoor heating decreases the moisture in your home, according to American SPCC. And drier boogers mean less protection against germs and possible irritation of your nasal lining, according to Cleveland Clinic.

In other cases, dried nasal mucus can also form as a protective barrier to help your nasal lining heal, like after a nosebleed, Dr. Kelly says. Again, this can happen anywhere in your nose, including those farther-back spots that might feel more uncomfortable.

Hard, dry boogers are “normal from time to time,” Kelly says, so there’s no need to worry if you experience them. That said, if your nasal dryness persists, especially if it causes irritation or pain, it’s best to check with a doctor, who can recommend ways to treat it.

How to Remove Deep Boogers

Deep boogers can be annoying at best and downright uncomfortable at worst. And once you notice one, the urge to pick it out can be hard to ignore — but try your best to resist.

Picking could scratch the lining of your nose and make it bleed, according to Cleveland Clinic. And damaging the lining of your nose may make it easier for bacteria and viruses to head up toward your brain, according to a researcher and author of a study in mice.

Plus, it’s an easy way to spread and transmit germs, including ones like pneumonia-causing bacteria, according to a small study.

Simply blowing your nose with a tissue is a safer, more hygienic bet, says Kelly.

If the booger won’t budge no matter how much you blow, you can take measures to carefully and safely dislodge it from your nasal lining.

“The next best step would be to use saline irrigation to try to soften the crusts so they can be blown out,” Kelly says.

You can buy a nasal saline rinse or spray over the counter. Or you can make your own rinse using distilled water or water that has been boiled for three to five minutes and cooled until lukewarm, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Other ways to loosen up those deep, hard boogers include running a hot shower and inhaling the steam, or bending over a bowl with very hot water with a towel over your head to create a mini steam bath, per Harvard Health Publishing.

You can also try applying a warm, moist washcloth to your nose for a few minutes, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

How to Prevent Deep Boogers

The occasional deep booger is par for the course, especially in winter. But ensuring that your nasal lining stays hydrated can keep the dry, crusty bits to a minimum, Kelly says.

Here’s how:

• ‌Moisten the air by using a humidifier, according to the NIH.
• ‌Drink plenty of water. Adequate liquid helps the mucus in your nose stay loose, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
• Avoid drinking or smoking, which can dry out your nasal passages, according to the Sjögren’s Foundation.

When to Get Medical Help

Having a deep booger once in a while isn’t cause for concern. But if you seem to get them all the time, it’s best to chat with a healthcare professional.

“You should see a doctor if your nasal crusting is not improving with saline, or if you feel that it is preventing you from being able to breathe,” Kelly says.

Your doctor can perform an examination, make a diagnosis, and suggest the best treatment for your situation.